2011 Predictions

At great risk, with the likely result of being completely wrong on all counts, these are my predictions for 2011.

-Hasbro sells off all rights to D&D.

-OSR continues to grow and more innovative products continue to be produced by the fans.

-more local hobby game stores close

-Obama's college transcripts are opened and it's revealed he was president of the college D&D club. (meanwhile birthers claim this proves he was really born in Greyhawk)

There is only D&D...

All other RPG's are just variants.

Races systemetized

Some time ago I had considered what basic classes might have looked like if they had received the same Gygaxian systematization that much of the other elements of OD&D had gotten. I was a little surprised at the positive response to that post and thought I'd try my hand at doing the same thing to races.

Well, I don't think the races map nearly as well, or maybe I'm just not doing it right. Here is a diagram to illustrate a first pass at the idea. Maybe you have suggestions to improve this or think it is too ridiculous an idea to even attempt.

There is definitely some wonkiness with mapping the six attributes to the basic races.

Dungeon Master Fatigue and Why Petty Gods is such a Cool Idea!

Anyone who has had the task of being Dungeon Master for any period of time knows what Dungeon Master fatigue is. Players will drain your mind and spirit given enough time. Week after week you dredge your brain for cool ideas to bring to the game table and night after night players take the game in directions you never expected forcing you to be quick on your feet and constantly come up with cool new ideas to keep everyone entertained. It is demanding, but rewarding work. Penny Arcade has recently featured this idea in their typically brilliant humorous way.

When the eloquent and verbose James Maliszewski proposed the idea of Petty Gods I was immediately excited! What a great resource for fatigued DM's! And judging by the few submissions that have been previewed my excitement appears to have been well warranted. What I like is how the petty gods are perfect for filling those little holes in the adventure where something interesting needs to be in order to keep the game fun and moving.

So I have contributed my abilities to the project and am looking forward to the final result.

Here are the pages from my sketchbook from before I did before the finish, for those interested in such things:

Swords & Wizardry Complete Released

I've been looking forward to this since I heard it was in development. Since S&W is my retro-clone of choice I will definitely be getting a copy - as soon as their servers are no longer overwhelmed...

Swords & Wizardry Complete Rulebook